EP1055930A2 - Printed circuit board testing apparatus and probe device for use in the same - Google Patents

Printed circuit board testing apparatus and probe device for use in the same Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1055930A2
EP1055930A2 EP00110969A EP00110969A EP1055930A2 EP 1055930 A2 EP1055930 A2 EP 1055930A2 EP 00110969 A EP00110969 A EP 00110969A EP 00110969 A EP00110969 A EP 00110969A EP 1055930 A2 EP1055930 A2 EP 1055930A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
circuit board
contact needle
probe device
needle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00110969A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1055930A3 (en
Inventor
Hideo Nihon Densan Read K.K. Nishikawa
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nidec Read Corp
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Nidec Read Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nidec Read Corp filed Critical Nidec Read Corp
Publication of EP1055930A2 publication Critical patent/EP1055930A2/en
Publication of EP1055930A3 publication Critical patent/EP1055930A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01RMEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R1/00Details of instruments or arrangements of the types included in groups G01R5/00 - G01R13/00 and G01R31/00
    • G01R1/02General constructional details
    • G01R1/06Measuring leads; Measuring probes
    • G01R1/067Measuring probes
    • G01R1/06711Probe needles; Cantilever beams; "Bump" contacts; Replaceable probe pins
    • G01R1/06733Geometry aspects
    • G01R1/0675Needle-like
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01RMEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R1/00Details of instruments or arrangements of the types included in groups G01R5/00 - G01R13/00 and G01R31/00
    • G01R1/02General constructional details
    • G01R1/06Measuring leads; Measuring probes
    • G01R1/067Measuring probes
    • G01R1/06705Apparatus for holding or moving single probes
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01RMEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R1/00Details of instruments or arrangements of the types included in groups G01R5/00 - G01R13/00 and G01R31/00
    • G01R1/02General constructional details
    • G01R1/06Measuring leads; Measuring probes
    • G01R1/067Measuring probes
    • G01R1/06711Probe needles; Cantilever beams; "Bump" contacts; Replaceable probe pins
    • G01R1/06733Geometry aspects
    • G01R1/06738Geometry aspects related to tip portion

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a printed circuit board testing apparatus for testing open circuit and current leakage or conductivity of a circuit pattern formed on a printed circuit board, and a probe device for use in such an apparatus.
  • circuit board testing apparatus which test open circuit and current leakage or conductivity of a circuit pattern formed on a printed circuit board by rendering a single contact needle or a number of contact needles of a probe device to come into contact with a specified position of the circuit pattern formed on the circuit board as shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.6-186271.
  • Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.6-186271 there has been a problem that when the contact needle comes into contact with the circuit pattern, the circuit pattern receives a considerable impact and a noticeable stress occurs in the contact needle, resulting in an incorrect measurement.
  • some technologies have been proposed.
  • Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-178771 discloses a probe device in which a contact needle is moved or shifted to a position near the circuit pattern at a high speed, and the contact needle is then moved to the circuit pattern at such a slow speed as to assure a soft contact. Also, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-113536 discloses a probe device provided with a coil spring on an upper portion of a contact needle to absorb an impact at contact.
  • the probe device featuring the speed change requires an increased measurement or testing time to assure a soft contact.
  • the probe device featuring the coil spring cannot suppress the stress occurrence in the contact needle sufficiently. Further, the contact needle of these probe devices suffers a remarkable abrasion, and has the likelihood of breaking.
  • a probe device comprises a holder mountable to a circuit board testing apparatus, and a contact needle attachable to the holder.
  • the contact needle is operable to resiliently bend in a specified direction immediately after coming into contact with a circuit board.
  • a circuit board testing apparatus comprises a table for supporting a circuit board to be tested, and a tester unit carrying a plurality of probe devices.
  • Each probe device is provided with a holder mountable to a main body of the test unit, and a contact needle attachable to the holder, and operable to resiliently bend in a specified direction immediately after coming into contact with the circuit board.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a circuit board testing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • X, Y and Z axes of rectangular coordinates are shown.
  • the circuit board testing apparatus includes a door 11 provided on the front (-X side) of a main body 1 of the apparatus.
  • the door 11 is opened to place a printed circuit board P to be tested on a transfer table 2.
  • the printed circuit board to be tested may be a bare printed circuit board on which an electric circuit pattern is printed but circuit elements such as IC chip, capacitors, resistors have not been mounted.
  • the circuit board P is tested or inspected in a test section T.
  • the signals representative of conductivity between points on the circuit pattern of the circuit board P is picked up or detected to evaluate the circuit board P to accept or deny.
  • the tested circuit board P is returned to an initial position I where the tested circuit board P is in turn taken out through the front opening by the operator.
  • the transfer table 2 is reciprocatively moved in X-directions between the initial position I and the test section T by a transfer table drive mechanism 6.
  • the transfer table drive mechanism 6 includes a ball screw 62, a drive shaft 64, and a motor 63.
  • the ball screw 62 threads through a bracket 65 fixedly attached on the transfer table 2.
  • the ball screw 62 and the bracket 65 are mechanically associated with each other.
  • the movement of the transfer table 2 corresponds to the rotation of the motor 63.
  • a tester unit 4 over the transfer table drive mechanism 6.
  • the tester unit 4 carries a plurality of probe devices 3. Each probe device is provided with a contact needle 30.
  • the plurality of probe devices 3 are individually driven by a probe device drive mechanism which is controlled by the controller. After being positioned relative to the circuit board P on the transfer table 2, the probe devices 3 are driven to bring their respective contact needles 30 into contact with the circuit pattern on the circuit board P.
  • the probe device drive mechanism 43 is provided with X-, Y-, and Z-drive sections for moving the probe device 3 in the X-, Y-, and Z- directions with respect to the main body 1, whereby the contact needle 30 of the probe device 3 is moved to and away from the circuit pattern formed on the circuit board P.
  • the probe device 3 includes an L-shaped holding member 9 mechanically connected with the drive mechanism 43, an electrode rod 7 fixedly mounted on the holding member 9, a socket 5 removably attached on the electrode rod 7, and a contact needle 30 fixedly attached on the socket 5.
  • the holding member 9 is made of an electrical insulating material.
  • the contact needle 30, the socket 5, and the electrode rod 7 each are made of an electrically conductive material.
  • the electrode rod 7 is connected with a connecting wire for measurement. However, the connecting wire is not shown in the drawing for clarity.
  • the electrode rod 7 is inclined at ⁇ , e.g., 15 degrees, with respect to a vertical direction V.
  • the contact needle 30 is fixedly attached on the socket 5 by caulking or solder.
  • the contact needle 30 is made of tool steel or SK steel specified by JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard), phosphor bronze, or brass. Also, the contact needle 30 may be made of other resilient material.
  • the contact needle 30 has a diameter of 150 ⁇ m in this embodiment.
  • the contact needle 30 is curved in a specified direction (+X direction in Fig. 2) with respect to an extension of the electrode rod 7. Specifically, in the case that the contact needle 30 has a straight length L of 25 mm, the maximum gap ⁇ X of the curved contact needle 30 is 1mm.
  • Fig. 3 shows a state that two probe devices 3 are moved closer to each other to test the conductivity of a small spaced circuit pattern portion. Even when the probe devices 3 are moved closer, their respective holding members 9 do not come into contact with each other because their respective contact needles 30 are mounted on the inclined electrodes 7.
  • Fig. 4 shows a toughness characteristic of a needle made of phosphor bronze, and having a length of 30 mm and a diameter of 150 ⁇ m. A toughness characteristic of the needle was measured by depressing the needle along the lengthwise direction. This needle is useable as a contact needle 30 of this embodiment. It will be seen that the stress does not increase even as the depression is increased after rising to a certain value, i.e., 25 g at a depression of 0.3 mm. Also, the electrical resistance will be seen to come into a constant value, i.e., 3 ⁇ , after the depression goes beyond a certain value, i.e., 0.5 mm.
  • the contact needle 30 made of phosphor bronze in view of the above-toughness characteristic, it is preferable to lower the probe device 3 so as to depress the contact needle 30 more than 0.5 mm because of the fact that the constant stress and the constant resistance assure reliable contact, and is attainable beyond a depression of 0.5 mm.
  • a larger depression increases the probe device movement, consequently increasing the measurement time.
  • Figs. 5 and 6 show the shape of a leading end or contact end of a contact needle 30.
  • Fig. 5 shows a contact needle 30 formed with a leading end having the shape of a cone whose inclusive angle is 60 degrees
  • Fig. 6 shows a contact needle 30 formed with a leading end having the shape of a semi-cone whose inclusive angle is 30 degrees.
  • the contact needle 30 shown in Fig. 5 is advantageous in testing the conductivity of a large spaced circuit pattern portion.
  • the contact needle 30 shown in Fig. 6 is advantageous in testing the conductivity of a small spaced circuit pattern portion as shown in Fig. 3.
  • the two contact needles can be closed to each other by a gap of 50 ⁇ m.
  • the contact needle 30, which is already curved in the specified direction or +X direction, readily curves or bends in the specified direction resiliently further when the contact needle 30 is depressed after the contact with the circuit pattern on the circuit board P. Accordingly, the further resilient bending of the contact needle 30 absorbs an impact at the contact, thereby preventing an excessive stress from occurring in the contact needle 30, and thus assuring correct measurement or test.
  • the contact needle 30 can absorb contact impact, it is not necessary to move the probe device in multiple moving speeds including a high speed for preparatory movement and a slow speed for contact movement.
  • the contact needle 30 can assure high speed contact because of contact impact absorption by the self resilient bending, which can reduce the measurement and testing time remarkably.
  • the contact needle 30 is not provided with a coil spring to absorb contact impact.
  • the contact needle receives an urging force of the coil spring before coming into contact with the circuit pattern. Accordingly, the conventional contact needle is forced to start the contact from some pre-stressed state.
  • the contact needle 30 not provided with a coil spring receives no pressing force before coming into contact with the circuit pattern. Accordingly, the contact needle 30 starts the contact from the non pre-stressed state, thus assuring more correct measurement and testing.
  • the respective contact needles 30 of all the probe devices 3 are already curved in the predetermined directions. Accordingly, the likelihood can be eliminated that the contact needle 30 of one probe device, comes into contact with the contact needle 30 of a neighboring probe device even when they are closer to one another and further bent by depression.
  • Fig. 7 shows a modification of the probe device which is provided with a straight contact needle 30a instead of a curved contact needle 30.
  • the contact needle 30a is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the contact needle 30a resiliently bends in a specified direction or +X direction when being depressed.
  • Fig. 8 shows another modification of the probe device which is provided with a contact needle 30b having a curved portion but generally extending in parallel with the vertical direction.
  • the contact needle 30b has the tendency of bending +X direction at the curved portion when being depressed. This contact needle 30b can ensure an easier positioning control of contact point.
  • FIGs. 9 and 10 show still another modification of the probe device.
  • This probe device 3 includes an L-shaped holding member 9 mechanically connected with a drive mechanism, an electrode rod 7 fixedly mounted on the holding member 9, a socket 5 removably attached on the electrode rod 7, a contact needle 30 fixedly attached on the socket 5, a restraining member 100 attached on the holding member 9, a connecting wire 103 electrically connecting the electrode rod 7 with the restraining member 100, and a current detector 104 provided in the connecting wire 103 for detecting an open current in the connecting wire.
  • the holding member 9, the electrode rod 7, the socket 5, and the contact needle 30 is identical to that of the probe device shown in Fig. 2.
  • the restraining member 100 is made of an electrical conductive material, and is attached on the holding member 9 by a screw 110.
  • the restraining member 100 is formed with a hole 102 in a lower horizontal portion 101 thereof.
  • the hole 102 has a generally triangular shape as shown in Fig. 10, and allows the contact needle 30 to pass therethrough.
  • the contact needle 30 comes into contact with the restraining member 100 to establish an electric circuit between the contact needle 30, socket 5, electrode rod 7, connecting wire 103, and the restraining member.
  • the contact needle 30 resiliently bends in the +X direction and goes away from the inner wall of the hole 102 formed in the restraining member 100, consequently opening the electric circuit.
  • the current detector 104 detects an open circuit, and then generates a signal indicative of open circuit.
  • a controller or calculator provided in the testing apparatus receives the signal, and thereby calculate a level of the contact needle 30.
  • the contact of the contact needle 30 with the circuit pattern P can be assuredly and accurately detected by checking the current flow in the connecting wire 103 by the current detector 104. This will simply the leveling operation of a contact needle which is required at replacement of an old contact needle with a new contact needle.
  • the contact needle 30 is kept at the vertex of the hole 102 before coming into contact with the circuit pattern P as shown in Fig. 10. Accordingly, the contact needle 30 is prevented from vibrating during the movement, consequently ensuring accurate contact and thus reliable measurement.
  • the contact needle 30 is fixedly attached on the socket 5 by caulking or solder.
  • the socket 5 is removably attached to the electrode rod 7 held by the holding member 9.
  • a contact needle 30 on a holding member 9 directly.
  • a socket attached with a contact needle 30 may be directly attached on a holding member 9.
  • the probe device 3 is moved down and up while the printed circuit board P is stayed at a fixed position.
  • an inventive probe device is provided with a holder mountable to a circuit board testing apparatus, a contact needle attachable to the holder.
  • the contact needle is operable to resiliently bend in a specified direction immediately after coming into contact with a circuit board.
  • the contact needle bends immediately after coming into contact with a circuit board, thereby absorbing an impact at contact. Accordingly, the open circuit and current leakage or conductivity of a circuit pattern formed on the printed circuit board can be accurately tested at a shorter time.
  • the holder may be constructed by a holding member made of an electrically insulating material, an electrode rod mounted in the holding member, a socket removably attached on the electrode rod.
  • the contact needle is fixedly attached on the socket. This construction makes it easier to interchange contact needles.
  • the electrode rod may be made to extend in a direction inclined with respect to a normal line of the circuit board to thereby arrange two or more contact needles closer to each other.
  • the probe device may be further provided with a restraining member for restraining the contact needle. This will prevent the contact needle from vibrating during the movement.
  • the restraining member may be made of an electrically conductive material, and formed with a restraining portion for permitting the contact needle to come into contact with the restraining member when the contact needle is not in contact with the circuit board, and permitting the contact needle to go away from the restraining member when the contact needle bends after coming into contact with the circuit board.
  • a connecting wire for connecting the restraining member with the electrode rod, and a detector for detecting the current in the connecting wire.
  • the restraining portion may be formed with a hole for passing the contact needle therethrough. This construction, which is simpler, makes it possible to detect contact of the contact needle with the circuit board more accurately.
  • the contact needle may be entirely curved in a direction intersecting a lengthwise direction thereof.
  • the contact needle may be entirely straight, and extends in a direction inclined with respect to a normal line of the circuit board.
  • the contact needle may be partially formed with a curved portion.
  • the contact needle may be formed with a leading end having the shape of a cone.
  • An inventive circuit board testing apparatus is provided with a table for supporting a circuit board to be test, and a tester unit carrying a plurality of probe devices.
  • Each probe device includes a holder mountable to a main body of the test unit, a contact needle attachable to the holder, and operable to resiliently bend in a specified direction immediately after coming into contact with the circuit board.
  • This circuit board testing apparatus is provided with the inventive contact needle. Thus, accurate testing can be performed.
  • the probe device may be provided with a restraining member made of an electrically conductive material, and including a restraining portion for permitting the contact needle to come into contact with the restraining member when the contact needle is not in contact with the circuit board, and permitting the contact needle to go away from the restraining member when the contact needle bends after coming into contact with the circuit board.
  • the restraining member is connected with the contact needle by a connecting wire, and the current in the connecting wire is checked to judge the contact of the contact needle with the circuit board. This will simplify the leveling operation of contact needle.
  • Each of the plurality of contact needles may be made to bend in an outward direction of a space defined by the plurality of contact needles. This will prevent the plurality of contact needles from coming into contact with each other.

Abstract

A probe device is mounted on a circuit provided with a holder mountable to a circuit board testing apparatus, a contact needle attachable to the holder. The contact needle is operable to resiliently bend in a specified direction immediately after coming into contact with a circuit board. The bending absorbs a contact impact to ensure accurate measurement.

Description

  • This application is based on patent application No. 11-146123 filed in Japan, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • This invention relates to a printed circuit board testing apparatus for testing open circuit and current leakage or conductivity of a circuit pattern formed on a printed circuit board, and a probe device for use in such an apparatus.
  • There have been circuit board testing apparatus which test open circuit and current leakage or conductivity of a circuit pattern formed on a printed circuit board by rendering a single contact needle or a number of contact needles of a probe device to come into contact with a specified position of the circuit pattern formed on the circuit board as shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.6-186271. However, there has been a problem that when the contact needle comes into contact with the circuit pattern, the circuit pattern receives a considerable impact and a noticeable stress occurs in the contact needle, resulting in an incorrect measurement. To solve this problem, accordingly, some technologies have been proposed.
  • Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-178771 discloses a probe device in which a contact needle is moved or shifted to a position near the circuit pattern at a high speed, and the contact needle is then moved to the circuit pattern at such a slow speed as to assure a soft contact. Also, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-113536 discloses a probe device provided with a coil spring on an upper portion of a contact needle to absorb an impact at contact.
  • However, these probe devices have the following drawbacks. The probe device featuring the speed change requires an increased measurement or testing time to assure a soft contact. The probe device featuring the coil spring cannot suppress the stress occurrence in the contact needle sufficiently. Further, the contact needle of these probe devices suffers a remarkable abrasion, and has the likelihood of breaking.
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • It is an object of the present invention to provide a circuit board testing apparatus and a probe device which are free from the problems residing in the prior art.
  • According to an aspect of the invention, a probe device comprises a holder mountable to a circuit board testing apparatus, and a contact needle attachable to the holder. The contact needle is operable to resiliently bend in a specified direction immediately after coming into contact with a circuit board.
  • According to another aspect of the invention, a circuit board testing apparatus comprises a table for supporting a circuit board to be tested, and a tester unit carrying a plurality of probe devices. Each probe device is provided with a holder mountable to a main body of the test unit, and a contact needle attachable to the holder, and operable to resiliently bend in a specified direction immediately after coming into contact with the circuit board.
  • These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an entire construction of a circuit board testing apparatus embodying the invention;
  • Fig. 2 is a partially sectional view showing a construction of a probe device provided in the circuit board testing apparatus;
  • Fig. 3 is a partially sectional view showing a state where two probe devices are closed to each other;
  • Fig. 4 is a graph showing a toughness characteristic of a contact needle used in the probe device;
  • Fig. 5 is an enlarged front view showing a leading end portion of a contact needle used in the probe device;
  • Fig. 6 is an enlarged front view showing a leading end portion of each of another contact needles used in the probe device;
  • Fig. 7 is a partially sectional view showing a construction of a modified contact needle;
  • Fig. 8 is a partially sectional view showing a construction of another modified contact needle;
  • Fig. 9 is a partially sectional view showing a construction of still another modified contact needle; and
  • Fig. 10 is a bottom view of the modified contact needle shown in Fig. 9.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a circuit board testing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. In order to clarify directions of movement and relative positions of the parts of the apparatus in drawings, X, Y and Z axes of rectangular coordinates are shown.
  • The circuit board testing apparatus includes a door 11 provided on the front (-X side) of a main body 1 of the apparatus. The door 11 is opened to place a printed circuit board P to be tested on a transfer table 2. The printed circuit board to be tested may be a bare printed circuit board on which an electric circuit pattern is printed but circuit elements such as IC chip, capacitors, resistors have not been mounted. The circuit board P is tested or inspected in a test section T. The signals representative of conductivity between points on the circuit pattern of the circuit board P is picked up or detected to evaluate the circuit board P to accept or deny. The tested circuit board P is returned to an initial position I where the tested circuit board P is in turn taken out through the front opening by the operator.
  • The transfer table 2 is reciprocatively moved in X-directions between the initial position I and the test section T by a transfer table drive mechanism 6. The transfer table drive mechanism 6 includes a ball screw 62, a drive shaft 64, and a motor 63. The ball screw 62 threads through a bracket 65 fixedly attached on the transfer table 2. The ball screw 62 and the bracket 65 are mechanically associated with each other. The movement of the transfer table 2 corresponds to the rotation of the motor 63.
  • In the test section T, there is provided a tester unit 4 over the transfer table drive mechanism 6. The tester unit 4 carries a plurality of probe devices 3. Each probe device is provided with a contact needle 30. The plurality of probe devices 3 are individually driven by a probe device drive mechanism which is controlled by the controller. After being positioned relative to the circuit board P on the transfer table 2, the probe devices 3 are driven to bring their respective contact needles 30 into contact with the circuit pattern on the circuit board P.
  • The probe device drive mechanism 43 is provided with X-, Y-, and Z-drive sections for moving the probe device 3 in the X-, Y-, and Z- directions with respect to the main body 1, whereby the contact needle 30 of the probe device 3 is moved to and away from the circuit pattern formed on the circuit board P.
  • Referring to Fig. 2 showing a construction of one probe device 3, the probe device 3 includes an L-shaped holding member 9 mechanically connected with the drive mechanism 43, an electrode rod 7 fixedly mounted on the holding member 9, a socket 5 removably attached on the electrode rod 7, and a contact needle 30 fixedly attached on the socket 5. The holding member 9 is made of an electrical insulating material. However, the contact needle 30, the socket 5, and the electrode rod 7 each are made of an electrically conductive material. The electrode rod 7 is connected with a connecting wire for measurement. However, the connecting wire is not shown in the drawing for clarity. The electrode rod 7 is inclined at β, e.g., 15 degrees, with respect to a vertical direction V. The contact needle 30 is fixedly attached on the socket 5 by caulking or solder.
  • The contact needle 30 is made of tool steel or SK steel specified by JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard), phosphor bronze, or brass. Also, the contact needle 30 may be made of other resilient material. The contact needle 30 has a diameter of 150 µm in this embodiment. Also, the contact needle 30 is curved in a specified direction (+X direction in Fig. 2) with respect to an extension of the electrode rod 7. Specifically, in the case that the contact needle 30 has a straight length L of 25 mm, the maximum gap ΔX of the curved contact needle 30 is 1mm.
  • Fig. 3 shows a state that two probe devices 3 are moved closer to each other to test the conductivity of a small spaced circuit pattern portion. Even when the probe devices 3 are moved closer, their respective holding members 9 do not come into contact with each other because their respective contact needles 30 are mounted on the inclined electrodes 7.
  • Fig. 4 shows a toughness characteristic of a needle made of phosphor bronze, and having a length of 30 mm and a diameter of 150 µm. A toughness characteristic of the needle was measured by depressing the needle along the lengthwise direction. This needle is useable as a contact needle 30 of this embodiment. It will be seen that the stress does not increase even as the depression is increased after rising to a certain value, i.e., 25 g at a depression of 0.3 mm. Also, the electrical resistance will be seen to come into a constant value, i.e., 3Ω, after the depression goes beyond a certain value, i.e., 0.5 mm.
  • In the contact needle 30 made of phosphor bronze, in view of the above-toughness characteristic, it is preferable to lower the probe device 3 so as to depress the contact needle 30 more than 0.5 mm because of the fact that the constant stress and the constant resistance assure reliable contact, and is attainable beyond a depression of 0.5 mm. On the other hand, a larger depression increases the probe device movement, consequently increasing the measurement time. To assure shorter measurement time, accordingly, it is preferable to reduce the depression. In the case of measuring or testing a circuit board formed with circuit patterns having a height of 0.5 mm, for example, it will be sufficient to set the depression to 1.0 mm.
  • Figs. 5 and 6 show the shape of a leading end or contact end of a contact needle 30. Fig. 5 shows a contact needle 30 formed with a leading end having the shape of a cone whose inclusive angle is 60 degrees, and Fig. 6 shows a contact needle 30 formed with a leading end having the shape of a semi-cone whose inclusive angle is 30 degrees. The contact needle 30 shown in Fig. 5 is advantageous in testing the conductivity of a large spaced circuit pattern portion. On the hand, the contact needle 30 shown in Fig. 6 is advantageous in testing the conductivity of a small spaced circuit pattern portion as shown in Fig. 3. For example, in the case of using contact needles each having a diameter of 150 µm and a semi-conical leading end, it was confirmed that the two contact needles can be closed to each other by a gap of 50 µm.
  • The contact needle 30, which is already curved in the specified direction or +X direction, readily curves or bends in the specified direction resiliently further when the contact needle 30 is depressed after the contact with the circuit pattern on the circuit board P. Accordingly, the further resilient bending of the contact needle 30 absorbs an impact at the contact, thereby preventing an excessive stress from occurring in the contact needle 30, and thus assuring correct measurement or test.
  • Also, since the contact needle 30 can absorb contact impact, it is not necessary to move the probe device in multiple moving speeds including a high speed for preparatory movement and a slow speed for contact movement. The contact needle 30 can assure high speed contact because of contact impact absorption by the self resilient bending, which can reduce the measurement and testing time remarkably.
  • Further, the contact needle 30 is not provided with a coil spring to absorb contact impact. In the conventional contact needle provided with a coil spring, the contact needle receives an urging force of the coil spring before coming into contact with the circuit pattern. Accordingly, the conventional contact needle is forced to start the contact from some pre-stressed state. However, the contact needle 30 not provided with a coil spring receives no pressing force before coming into contact with the circuit pattern. Accordingly, the contact needle 30 starts the contact from the non pre-stressed state, thus assuring more correct measurement and testing.
  • Furthermore, the respective contact needles 30 of all the probe devices 3 are already curved in the predetermined directions. Accordingly, the likelihood can be eliminated that the contact needle 30 of one probe device, comes into contact with the contact needle 30 of a neighboring probe device even when they are closer to one another and further bent by depression.
  • Fig. 7 shows a modification of the probe device which is provided with a straight contact needle 30a instead of a curved contact needle 30. In this probe device, however, the contact needle 30a is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so that the contact needle 30a resiliently bends in a specified direction or +X direction when being depressed.
  • Fig. 8 shows another modification of the probe device which is provided with a contact needle 30b having a curved portion but generally extending in parallel with the vertical direction. The contact needle 30b has the tendency of bending +X direction at the curved portion when being depressed. This contact needle 30b can ensure an easier positioning control of contact point.
  • Figs. 9 and 10 show still another modification of the probe device. This probe device 3 includes an L-shaped holding member 9 mechanically connected with a drive mechanism, an electrode rod 7 fixedly mounted on the holding member 9, a socket 5 removably attached on the electrode rod 7, a contact needle 30 fixedly attached on the socket 5, a restraining member 100 attached on the holding member 9, a connecting wire 103 electrically connecting the electrode rod 7 with the restraining member 100, and a current detector 104 provided in the connecting wire 103 for detecting an open current in the connecting wire.
  • The construction of the holding member 9, the electrode rod 7, the socket 5, and the contact needle 30 is identical to that of the probe device shown in Fig. 2. In this probe device, however, there are further provided the restraining member 100, the connecting wire 103, and the current detector 104. Specifically, the restraining member 100 is made of an electrical conductive material, and is attached on the holding member 9 by a screw 110. The restraining member 100 is formed with a hole 102 in a lower horizontal portion 101 thereof. The hole 102 has a generally triangular shape as shown in Fig. 10, and allows the contact needle 30 to pass therethrough.
  • In the state where the contact needle 30 is not depressed, the contact needle 30 comes into contact with the restraining member 100 to establish an electric circuit between the contact needle 30, socket 5, electrode rod 7, connecting wire 103, and the restraining member. When being depressed, on the other hand, the contact needle 30 resiliently bends in the +X direction and goes away from the inner wall of the hole 102 formed in the restraining member 100, consequently opening the electric circuit. The current detector 104 detects an open circuit, and then generates a signal indicative of open circuit. A controller or calculator provided in the testing apparatus receives the signal, and thereby calculate a level of the contact needle 30.
  • The contact of the contact needle 30 with the circuit pattern P can be assuredly and accurately detected by checking the current flow in the connecting wire 103 by the current detector 104. This will simply the leveling operation of a contact needle which is required at replacement of an old contact needle with a new contact needle.
  • Also, the contact needle 30 is kept at the vertex of the hole 102 before coming into contact with the circuit pattern P as shown in Fig. 10. Accordingly, the contact needle 30 is prevented from vibrating during the movement, consequently ensuring accurate contact and thus reliable measurement.
  • In the foregoing embodiment, the contact needle 30 is fixedly attached on the socket 5 by caulking or solder. The socket 5 is removably attached to the electrode rod 7 held by the holding member 9. However, it may be appreciated to attach a contact needle 30 on a holding member 9 directly. Also, a socket attached with a contact needle 30 may be directly attached on a holding member 9.
  • Further, in the foregoing embodiment, the probe device 3 is moved down and up while the printed circuit board P is stayed at a fixed position. However, it may be appreciated to move a printed circuit board P up and down while staying a probe device 3 at a fixed position, or alternatively to move a printed circuit board P and a probe device 3 relative to each other.
  • As described above, an inventive probe device is provided with a holder mountable to a circuit board testing apparatus, a contact needle attachable to the holder. The contact needle is operable to resiliently bend in a specified direction immediately after coming into contact with a circuit board. The contact needle bends immediately after coming into contact with a circuit board, thereby absorbing an impact at contact. Accordingly, the open circuit and current leakage or conductivity of a circuit pattern formed on the printed circuit board can be accurately tested at a shorter time.
  • The holder may be constructed by a holding member made of an electrically insulating material, an electrode rod mounted in the holding member, a socket removably attached on the electrode rod. In this case, the contact needle is fixedly attached on the socket. This construction makes it easier to interchange contact needles.
  • The electrode rod may be made to extend in a direction inclined with respect to a normal line of the circuit board to thereby arrange two or more contact needles closer to each other.
  • The probe device may be further provided with a restraining member for restraining the contact needle. This will prevent the contact needle from vibrating during the movement.
  • The restraining member may be made of an electrically conductive material, and formed with a restraining portion for permitting the contact needle to come into contact with the restraining member when the contact needle is not in contact with the circuit board, and permitting the contact needle to go away from the restraining member when the contact needle bends after coming into contact with the circuit board. Further, there may be provided a connecting wire for connecting the restraining member with the electrode rod, and a detector for detecting the current in the connecting wire. The restraining portion may be formed with a hole for passing the contact needle therethrough. This construction, which is simpler, makes it possible to detect contact of the contact needle with the circuit board more accurately.
  • The contact needle may be entirely curved in a direction intersecting a lengthwise direction thereof. Alternatively, the contact needle may be entirely straight, and extends in a direction inclined with respect to a normal line of the circuit board. Further, the contact needle may be partially formed with a curved portion. Moreover, the contact needle may be formed with a leading end having the shape of a cone.
  • An inventive circuit board testing apparatus is provided with a table for supporting a circuit board to be test, and a tester unit carrying a plurality of probe devices. Each probe device includes a holder mountable to a main body of the test unit, a contact needle attachable to the holder, and operable to resiliently bend in a specified direction immediately after coming into contact with the circuit board. This circuit board testing apparatus is provided with the inventive contact needle. Thus, accurate testing can be performed.
  • The probe device may be provided with a restraining member made of an electrically conductive material, and including a restraining portion for permitting the contact needle to come into contact with the restraining member when the contact needle is not in contact with the circuit board, and permitting the contact needle to go away from the restraining member when the contact needle bends after coming into contact with the circuit board. The restraining member is connected with the contact needle by a connecting wire, and the current in the connecting wire is checked to judge the contact of the contact needle with the circuit board. This will simplify the leveling operation of contact needle.
  • Each of the plurality of contact needles may be made to bend in an outward direction of a space defined by the plurality of contact needles. This will prevent the plurality of contact needles from coming into contact with each other.
  • As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, the foregoing embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to embraced by the claims.

Claims (14)

  1. A probe device comprising:
    a holder mountable to a circuit board testing apparatus;
    a contact needle attachable to the holder, and operable to resiliently bend in a specified direction immediately after coming into contact with a circuit board.
  2. A probe device according to claim 1, wherein the holder includes:
    a holding member made of an electrically insulating material;
    an electrode rod mounted in the holding member;
    a socket removably attached on the electrode rod;
    wherein the contact needle is fixedly attached on the socket.
  3. A probe device according to claim 2, wherein the electrode rod extends in a direction inclined with respect to a normal line of the circuit board.
  4. A probe device according to claim 3, further comprising a restraining member for restraining the contact needle.
  5. A probe device according to claim 4, wherein the restraining member is made of an electrically conductive material, and includes a restraining portion for permitting the contact needle to come into contact with the restraining member when the contact needle is not in contact with the circuit board, and permitting the contact needle to go away from the restraining member when the contact needle bends after coming into contact with the circuit board, further comprising:
    a connecting wire for connecting the restraining member with the electrode rod; and
    a detector for detecting the current in the connecting wire.
  6. A probe device according to claim 5, wherein the restraining portion includes a hole for passing the contact needle therethrough.
  7. A probe device according to claim 6, wherein the contact needle is entirely curved in a direction intersecting a lengthwise direction thereof.
  8. A probe device according to claim 1, wherein the contact needle is entirely curved in a direction intersecting a lengthwise direction thereof.
  9. A probe device according to claim 1, wherein the contact needle is entirely straight, and extends in a direction inclined with respect to a normal line of the circuit board.
  10. A probe device according to claim 1, wherein the contact needle includes a leading end having the shape of a cone.
  11. A circuit board testing apparatus comprising:
    a table for supporting a circuit board to be test; and
    a tester unit carrying a plurality of probe devices each including:
    a holder mountable to a main body of the test unit;
    a contact needle attachable to the holder, and operable to resiliently bend in a specified direction immediately after coming into contact with the circuit board.
  12. A circuit board testing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the probe device further includes a restraining member attached on the holder for restraining the contact needle.
  13. A circuit board testing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein:
    the holder includes a holding member made of an electrically insulating material;
    the restraining member is made of an electrically conductive material, and includes a restraining portion for permitting the contact needle to come into contact with the restraining member when the contact needle is not in contact with the circuit board, and permitting the contact needle to go away from the restraining member when the contact needle bends after coming into contact with the circuit board;
    further comprising:
    a connecting wire for connecting the restraining member with the contact needle; and
    a detector for detecting the current in the connecting wire to judge the contact of the contact needle with the circuit board.
  14. A circuit board testing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the bending direction of each of the plurality of contact needles is an outward direction of a space defined by the plurality of contact needles.
EP00110969A 1999-05-26 2000-05-26 Printed circuit board testing apparatus and probe device for use in the same Withdrawn EP1055930A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP14612399 1999-05-26
JP14612399 1999-05-26

Publications (2)

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EP1055930A2 true EP1055930A2 (en) 2000-11-29
EP1055930A3 EP1055930A3 (en) 2003-10-15

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US (1) US6486689B1 (en)
EP (1) EP1055930A3 (en)

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US7312617B2 (en) 2006-03-20 2007-12-25 Microprobe, Inc. Space transformers employing wire bonds for interconnections with fine pitch contacts
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EP1055930A3 (en) 2003-10-15

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